Thursday, March 15, 2007
Jackie McDonald, the UDA, and equality..
UTV news just carried a report on a St Patrick’s breakfast held at the La Mon hotel. Whilst one of the speakers was DUP leader Ian Paisley the notable part of the report was an interview with one of the guests, UDA leader Jackie McDonald. And we got the rare sight of McDonald commenting publicly on the UDA. But the point to note was not, as the report suggests, his urging of the DUP to go into government with SF, it was his ruling out of UDA decommissioning until “they get what Sinn Féin and the IRA got”. [Are you listening Mr Hain? - Ed] No doubt that message has already been received by those in more regular contact with Mr McDonald. Seems like the Process™ still has some way to go on those poisonous foundations. Updated below Final Update
The quote above, while accurately capturing what Jackie McDonald said, does paraphrase what he said. I had one hearing to get the gist of it since the report was not online. Hearing it again, in the 6pm programme, I’ve had a chance to try to note the actual quote, on when the UDA would decommission.
“Whenever they’re afforded the luxuries that Sinn Féin and the IRA were afforded.. whenever they get what the IRA got.. maybe then.”
Again I’m open to correction on that quote.. the report [15th March] will be online, at some point, here
Final Update Now that the report is online I’ve been able to get the full quote - the relevant section is about halfway through the show.
“Whenever they’re afforded all the luxuries that Sinn Féin and the IRA were afforded, and they’re given some of the things that the IRA got, then perhaps it could be at the horizon but it’s not on the radar at the minute.”
Pete Baker @ 02:07 PM
What did Sinn Fein and/or the IRA get?
Posted by on Mar 15, 2007 @ 03:40 PMThe term “Walter Mitty” would seem apt for Mr McDonald.
Posted by on Mar 15, 2007 @ 03:53 PMIRinA,
You know when you hear people saying things like “black people get everything” or “immigrants get everything”? Well its a bit like that.
Posted by on Mar 15, 2007 @ 04:10 PMwell its going to an interesting debate when in the Assembly they get round to discussing what to do about loyalist paramilitarism. I look forward to SF giving the DUP a grilling on the way in which Unionism has manipulated the loyalists and hung them out to dry.
Posted by on Mar 15, 2007 @ 04:17 PMUnionists and the spooks from the “mainland”!
Posted by on Mar 15, 2007 @ 04:22 PMNice one bpower!
Posted by on Mar 15, 2007 @ 04:35 PMit was his ruling out of UDA decommissioning until “they get what Sinn Féin and the IRA got”.
The UDA has no mandate and no support. It has failed to build a following at the polls. There is a case for regenerating loyalist communities, sure. But why should the UDA as an organization receive anything ?
Posted by on Mar 15, 2007 @ 04:39 PMquite right comdrade stalin
Posted by on Mar 15, 2007 @ 04:43 PMRuling out of UDA decommissioning until “they get what Sinn Féin and the IRA got”.
Sounds fair enough to me, give them cross border bodies, 50/50 recruitment, parades comission, Irish govt. input into northern affairs, increased north-south cooperation, removal/reduction of british state symbol & military forces.
I say give all of the above to the UDA in spades!
Posted by on Mar 15, 2007 @ 04:49 PMCanDo, they tell us the Union is safe. Everything else is on a democratic footing. Where’s the problem?
Posted by on Mar 15, 2007 @ 05:00 PMCanDo,
There was no “giving” involved. The people of* Ireland voted them into existence on 23 May 1998.
Unionists can replace the “of” with “who happened to live on the island of”.
Posted by on Mar 15, 2007 @ 05:02 PMhow long are we going to keep treating these gangsters with kid gloves? we shouldn’t be giving them money just to slacken the noose
Posted by on Mar 15, 2007 @ 05:09 PMWhat did Sinn Fein and/or the IRA get?
Posted by Irish Republican in America on Mar 15, 2007 @ 02:40 PM
Well for a start they got plenty of money off “wannabe Oirish” pricks like you..
When you and your so-called comrades went round collecting money for the Provies of Sinn Fein/IRA in the bars and clubs of Boston and Irish immigrant districts of New York did you stop to think the damage you were doing to my community, the Protestant/Unionist/Loyalist people? Or did you, like your Shinner mates over here, just dismiss us as “settler” scumbags who were disillusioned Irishman in an identity crisis?
I’m interested to hear your response as there have been a number of so-called “Irish American” commentators on Slugger but I’ve never come across one who was bold enough to declare themselves as a “Republican”.
I am your perceived enemy, let me hear your justification for providing funds for IRA low-lifes who murdered people I knew and attempted to murder family members…
Posted by on Mar 15, 2007 @ 05:52 PMAs long as you are sure Jackie.
Keep a look out in your post for a tax demand for £20 million, that should even things up with Republicans.
The Sectarian prosecution of General Thomas Slab Murphy and family is my reference point.
Posted by on Mar 15, 2007 @ 05:53 PM“wannabe Oirish” pricks
Jaysus.
Posted by on Mar 15, 2007 @ 05:56 PMI wonder what Paisley and co. have to say about the UDA’s continued refusal to decommission. Nothing I expect.
Posted by on Mar 15, 2007 @ 05:57 PM“And we got the rare sight of McDonald commenting publicly on the UDA. But the point to note was not, as the report suggests, his urging of the DUP to go into government with SF, it was his ruling out of UDA decommissioning until “they get what Sinn Féin and the IRA got”.”
What did the latest IMC report say about the dissident offshoots - the Continuity RA and the Real RA? If you were a Womble (UDA Member) would that report convince you that the UFF should be stood down, their munitions handed over and the UDA transformed into an “Old-Boys Association”?
Posted by on Mar 15, 2007 @ 05:59 PMCL,
I doubt the average UDA member read the last IMC report. Indeed, I doubt the average UDA member even knows what the IMC is.It’s all about crime. Not “defending” Ulster.
Posted by on Mar 15, 2007 @ 06:16 PMCL,
Nobody gives a fuck what the UDA think. Whats with all this concern for criminals, do you care what the Continuity IRA and the Real IRA think?
The sooner these gangs are crushed the better.
Posted by on Mar 15, 2007 @ 06:18 PMConcerned Loyalist: “When you and your so-called comrades went round collecting money for the Provies of Sinn Fein/IRA in the bars and clubs of Boston and Irish immigrant districts of New York did you stop to think the damage you were doing to my community, the Protestant/Unionist/Loyalist people? Or did you, like your Shinner mates over here, just dismiss us as “settler” scumbags who were disillusioned Irishman in an identity crisis? “
**plays a small violin**
Wake we when he gets to the part about walking to school eight miles through snow and ice, uphill, both ways…
Concerned Loyalist: “What did the latest IMC report say about the dissident offshoots - the Continuity RA and the Real RA? If you were a Womble (UDA Member) would that report convince you that the UFF should be stood down, their munitions handed over and the UDA transformed into an “Old-Boys Association”? “
‘course not, old bean… that might get in the way of the criminal empire… Why, without the guns, elected officials might actually run the show, rather than a shower of un-elected and un-electable thug-o-crats.
Posted by on Mar 15, 2007 @ 06:21 PMWell for a start they got plenty of money off “wannabe Oirish” pricks like you..
Maybe they could organise in that island they refer to as ‘the mainland’ and go round the pubs and clubs begging for money to fight the good fight to keep themselves British.
Or rather, British drug dealers, British extortionists, British pornographers, British pimps and, er, oh yes - British pastors.
Getting tiresome hearing this ‘we want what they got’ - and what exactly was that?
Equality? Think again, Einstein - it’s not that hard.
50/50 recruitment in a force they despise?
Er, cross-border bodies - when Jackie-O likes dining in Presidential-style down South.
WHAT exactly?
Maybe the right to wage a war by targeting haridressers, shop assistants, Chinese delivery drivers, taxi drivers, window-cleaners, teenagers in Celtic tops hiding under snooker tables… and on.
There’s much to be proud of after all…
Posted by on Mar 15, 2007 @ 06:28 PMConcerned Loyalist:
Well for a start they got plenty of money off “wannabe Oirish” pricks like you..
The guy asked a reasonable question and you responded with abuse. You had an opportunity to explain it to the guy in a civilized way, and refused to take it. This is why loyalism is in the toilet.
I am your perceived enemy, let me hear your justification for providing funds for IRA low-lifes who murdered people I knew and attempted to murder family members…
There should be something funny about a UDA supporter asks other people to explain why they killed people, but I don’t find myself laughing.
The UDA did not even put up a candidate at these elections, because if it did it would have been slaughtered. You can’t even intimidate people out to vote in your own heartlands. Loyalist paramilitarism is a criminal cancerous element and must be cut out before it spreads any further.
Posted by on Mar 15, 2007 @ 06:34 PMI did not see the UTV clip (I’ll make a point of looking out for it at 6PM) but it would be deeply unfortunate to solely concentrate on just one sentence. There is a sense of unease in the Loyalist community concerning the opportunities and incentives that were handed out to Sinn Fein/IRA during this whole peace process and, in turn, there are expectations that similar schemes could transform and regenerate areas that are sorely in need of help. Mr McDonald is merely pointing this out. He is not personally demanding anything, just highlighting the seeming imbalance. The great strides that have been made via the CTI (Conflict Transformation Initiative) deserve recognition and further support. I believe CTI will ultimately build the foundations for the total standing down of the UFF and the abandonment of the idea/notion that the battle for the future of this country can be fought militarily. As the six month CTI pilot scheme nears completion I believe that the written conclusions and analysis will highlight the overriding wish of the membership to seek a peaceful political solution to all future problems and a desire to put back into the community in a positive way.
Posted by on Mar 15, 2007 @ 06:47 PMloftholdingswood - “There is a sense of unease in the Loyalist community concerning the opportunities and incentives that were handed out to Sinn Fein/IRA during this whole peace process “.
I believe the give and take of the process is down to negotiation. We have something you want and you have something we want. Anyone would think reading your comment Lofty that this was a one way street. I think the people of NI got notable gains from the IRA, decomissioning, their standing down and now recognition of the police.
What CL and his ilk need to realise, as has been pointed out above, is that Sinn Fein have a huge mandate. I think the ordinary UDA member needs to ask their political representatives why they have been left high and dry.
Posted by on Mar 15, 2007 @ 07:04 PMWell they should give a committment to decommission or they should be left alone to rot in their boltholes.
The electoral system is open to these people and if they get a sufficient mandate then the views of Mc Donal may be worthy of consideration. As it is he is just another extortionist who ruins a good suit.Posted by on Mar 15, 2007 @ 07:12 PM
